Pocket first-aid kit



March 17, 1942. i s, w I 2,276,766

POCKET FIRST-AID KIT Filed July 15, 1939 lhllllllligi ie mZqyliifieWi'ii,

v INVE'NTOR I ATTORNEYS WITNESS Patented Mar. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POCKET FIRST-AID'KIT Stanley Rice De Witt, Maynard, Mass. Application July 13, 1939, vSerialNo. 284,358

2 Claims.

This invention relates to first-aid kits and more particularly to a pocket sized kit to be used in removing slivers and the treatment of cuts, minor wounds and abrasions, which if neglected might result in infection.

The invention consists in the novel compact and convenient structural arrangement and assembly of instrumental and treating media as hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing illustrating a practical adaptation of the invention, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of the unit in normally closed condition;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section on an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a cross section of one of the caps or closure members taken on or about the line 33 of Figure 2 and showing the adjacent interior elements in end view; and

Figure 4 is a cross section of the opposite cap or closure member taken on or about the line 4-4 of Figure 2 and showing the adjacent interior elements in end View.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Figure 2 thereof the numeral I designates a generally cylindrical body formed with an annular flange or collar portion 2 which is preferably knurled peripherally as shown in Figure 1, or, obviously, otherwise formed so that it may be firmly grasped and held by the fingers in applying and removing the cap or closure members as will later more fully appear.

As shown, the cylindrical body I is circumferentially screw-threaded as at 3 and 4, respectively, on opposite sides of the collar portion 2, the threaded portion 3 receiving thereon the correspondingly internally threaded portion of a cap or closure member 5, which latter is provided with a knurled collar 6 similar to the collar 2 on the body I to facilitate the application of the cap or closure member to the body I and its removal therefrom.

The cap or closure member 5, which, as shown, is tapered or of projectile shape, houses tweezers 1, the latter being provided with a, screw-threaded shank portion 8 which is screwed tightly into a counterpart axial socket 9 provided therefor in the adjacent end portion of the body I whereby the tweezers may be removed and replaced, at will. In this connection, however, the tweezers may be provided on the body I without detachability.

Another cap or closure member ID, of generally cylindrical form, is internally screw-threaded at its open end and fitted upon the screw-threaded portion 4 of the body I, said cap or closure member I0 having a .circumferentially knurled collar I-I similar to the aforesaid collars 2 and '6, respectively, of the body I and cap orclosure member 5 for convenience in attaching said member I0 to the body I and removing it therefrom.

Preferably, the closed end I2 of the cap or closure member I 0 is rounded in semispherical form as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and extending axially therefrom is a lug I3 which is circular in cross section and rounded at its outer end, said lug having a transverse opening I4 in which a looped member or bail I5 is hingedly mounted, said member I5 being provided for the attachment of the device to a key ring, chain or the like. In this connection, it is here noted that in addition to the rounding of the end portion I2 and lug I3 of the cap or closure member ill the tapered opposite cap or closure member 5 has its outer end portion roundingly blunted, these particular formations being to avoid undue wear and damage to a pocket in which the kit may be carried.

In accordance with the invention, the cap or closure member I0 is made of a length and diameter sulficient to enclose an elongated axial extension I6 provided at the end of the body I opposite to that on which the tweezers l are attached, there being considerable annular space I! about the extension I6 throughout the entire length thereof and also considerable end space I8 as shown more clearly in Figure 2. The annular space I! is provided for the accommodation of prepared bandages IQ ofa type commonly sold for the treatment of minor cuts and abrasions, preferably two in number, although a single bandage or a greater number thereof may be wrapped around the extension I6, as desired and depending upon the size and capacity of the kit. As to the average size of the kit to be carried in the pocket it is here pointed out that the actual dimensions thereof may be of a medium between that of the side elevational view in Figure 1 and the longitudinal sectional view in Figure 2 of the drawing, but in any event within a limit whereby, with the cap or closure member 5 removed, the body I with the cap or closure member Ill and enclosed elements intact thereon may be conveniently held in the fingers while manipulating the device in the use of the tweezers I.

As shown, the axial body extension I 6 is cored out to provide an elongated chamber 20 for the reception of a vial 2| containing an antiseptic, such as iodine, mercurochrome or other prescribed preparation, the stopper 22 of the vial being of any conventional character and capable for use as an applicator. In practice, the vial 2| may be of a diameter less than that of the chamber 20 of the extension 16 so as to beireely movable in the chamber, in which case the overall length of the vial with the stopper 22 therein may be such that the vial, stopper included, is entirely within the chamber 20 as shown in Figure 2, or, obviously, in some cases, the relative diameter of the chamber and vial may be such that the vial fits rather snugly in the chamber with the mouth portion of the vial and the.

stopper projected above the end of the extension l6 so that the end of the stopper is contiguous to the crown of the rounded end portion l2 of the cap or closure member ID when the latter is in place on the body I. In this latter case, of course, not only is the vial held against longitudinal movement in the chamber 20 but the stopper is held in the vial so as to prevent accidental loosening thereof and consequent leakage or spilling of the contents of the vial.

From the foregoing it is apparent that a simple, compact and practical first-aid kit is produced which may be carried in the pocket, without causing undue wear or damage to the latter and which may be conveniently manipulated in the removal of slivers and at the same time containing medicament and bandages for the firstaid treatment of cuts, minor wounds and abrasions.

While the herein illustrated structure is a practical embodiment of the invention it is obvious that a modification may be made within the scope of the appended claims. The invention, therefore, is not limited to the specific construction and arrangement shown.

What is claimed is:

1. A pocket first-aid kit, comprising an intermediate cylindrical body, said body stepped to form a central annular collar for grasping the same, a cap-like closure removably secured on the lower end of the body, an elongated axial extension at the opposite end of the body and of a diameter considerably less than that of the body, said extension being cored axially from its outer end to provide a receptacle for a container, said extension constituting a mandrel for the winding thereon of a flexible bandage, and a separate hollow cap carried by the body and enclosing the extension and bandage wound thereon.

2. A pocket first-aid kit, comprising an intermediate cylindrical body, said body stepped to form a central annular collar for grasping the same, said stepped portion externally threaded, a

cap-like closure removably screwed on the lower v threaded stepped portion of the body, an elongated axial extensionat the opposite end of the body and of a diameter considerably less than that of the body, said extension being cored axially from its outer end to provide a receptacle for a container, said extension constituting a mandrel for the winding thereon or a flexible bandage, and a separate hollow cap screwed on the threaded upper stepped portion of the body and enclosing the extension and bandage wound thereon.

STANLEY RICE DE WITT. 

